For one Saturday in both the Spring and the Fall, the TCRWP always opens its doors to thousands of educators from all over the country. Each Saturday Reunion offers keynotes and closings by renowned authors and leaders in the field of education, and over 125 workshops on topics such as: argument writing, embedding historical fiction in nonfiction text sets, opinion writing for very young writers, managing workshop instruction, aligning instruction to the CCSS, using performance assessments and curriculum maps to ratchet up the level of teaching, state-of-the-art test prep, phonics, guided reading and more. Senior Project staff, including Lucy Calkins and all TCRWP staff developers, present on each of these Saturdays. The day is free of charge and no registration is required.

Patricia Polacco

Patricia Polacco is the award-winning author and illustrator of more than 90 picture books for children including Pink and Say, In Our Mother’s House, The Keeping Quilt, and most recently, The Blessing Cup, often drawing from her own childhood and extended immigrant family to illustrate timeless themes. Patricia received Honor Picture Book of the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award for Mrs. Katz and Tush for its effective contribution to peace and social justice.

Kylene Beers

Kylene Beers is the author of the best-selling When Kids Can’t Read/What Teachers Can Do, co-editor of Adolescent Literacy: Turning Promise into Practice, and co-author of Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading. Kylene will remind us that best practices are best practices for a reason and help us to navigate the influx of initiatives and “Common Core Aligned” suggestions with a good dose of educator common sense.